Relief has come to users of Onne Seaport in Rivers State as Governor Nyesom Wike, in collaboration with Intels Nigeria Limited and other companies, has kicked off rehabilitation work on the failed 6km portion of East-West Road, particularly between Eleme and Onne Port junctions, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
According to the Head, Public Relations and Nigerian Content Development for INL, Mr. Isidore Sambol, after many years of waiting for the Federal Government to intervene, with no luck, the state government, alongside leading oil and gas operators, contracted Reynolds Construction company, RCC, to rehabilitate the road.
Isidore said: “Barely five weeks into his administration, Governor Wike met with some major investors in the affected area and the leaders agreed that waiting for the Federal Government was not an option. The partnership decided that a way forward towards growing and sustaining business activities in the state, was to fast-track economic growth.
“It is now three months since companies like Intels Nigeria Ltd, Indorama Limited, West African Container Terminal, Port Harcourt Refining Company, Nigerian Ports Authority and Onne Free Zones Authority, made commitment financially to the reconstruction of this very critical road essential to interstate commuters and the all-important road to the Onne Port and oil and gas services centre.
“The commitment is costing the companies and the Rivers State Government N3 billion with Intels contributing a third of the cost and the contractor guaranteeing the road work to remain of good quality, as well as to sustain free flow of traffic within the project area for a minimum of two years from date of completion.”
The Intel spokesman added: “The project is about identifying with the communities and giving back to society, being in business for the common good.”
